9 Tips for Staging Your Home
This is the time of year when many are getting ready to sell their homes. And, of course, they want to know what they can do (that doesn’t include major renovations) to make their home more appealing. This is where staging can help!
The National Association of Realtors’ 2023 Profile of Home Staging found that 20% of all agents said that home staging increased a home’s value by up to 5%, while 14% said it increased value by up to 10%.
Here are just a few tips to help you get started:
1- Depersonalize. You have probably already heard this one. That’s because it is so important. Store those family photos and any unique collections away until after your house has sold. People want to be able to picture themselves in your home, not wonder why you have an affinity for dolphins.
2- Declutter. You want to show your home in it’s best light. Clutter in your closets or rooms can make them look much smaller than they actually are. Remove anything that doesn’t fit comfortable in the space. You don’t need to toss them, just box away any items that don’t fit in order to open up your current space for potential buyers.
3- Get Rid of Pet Odors. If you have pets, you may not be aware of how your home smells. Be sure to steam clean carpets, hide away litter boxes and dog toys, delint furniture and consider using air freshening diffusers.
4- Deep Clean. Do a thorough cleaning from floor to ceiling and everything in between. Consider hiring a professional to do a one-time deep clean and address areas that can often get missed during regular cleanings, such as baseboards, windows and ceiling fans.
5- Reduce Furniture. Many homes contain too much furniture or pieces that are too large for the space. Selectively reduce the number of furniture pieces in places like your living room to open up the area. You don’t need to throw out your furniture, but rather put them in storage or at a friend’s house until your home is sold.
6- Let the Light In. Make sure every room is well lit, so potential buyers can truly see your whole house. Don’t forget about lighting garages and basements, too. Open up all blinds and window dressings so more natural light can get in. Remove any curtains that are old, dirty or outdated (wash windows inside and out first).
7- Curb Appeal. Take a look at your home from the street. Does it look fresh and welcoming? If not, give it a spruce up - trim bushes, pressure wash walkways and siding, replace that old mailbox, give the front door a fresh coat of paint … and don’t forget a new welcome mat!
8- Address Easy, Inexpensive Fixes. Take care of those easy (and often visible) signs of wear and tear. Stop faucets from dripping, replace broken switch plates, recaulk where needed and oil those squeeky doors. According to HGTV, lighting, faucets and doorknobs are all things home buyers notice, especially if they are outdated. They suggest that even buying inexpensive new ones can make a difference.
9- Want to go all out? Fortune Builders outlined the top improvements to make and what your return on investment will be for each. Number 1? Minor Bathroom Remodel which returns an average of 102%.
